Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions: guidance

The UK government has published an updated version of its Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions: guidance relating to sanction measures imposed on the country due to its engagement in nuclear power programs pursuant to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/411). With this guidance, the government aims to support firms in their efforts to comply with the instrument and related sanction provisions. The guidance thereby covers numerous issues, ranging from the purpose and scope of the regulations, to the prohibitions made by the regulations (financial restrictions, trade and transport restrictions, and travel restrictions) and the implications of these for UK firms, to possible exemptions from such restrictions.
This latest revised version contains updates to reflect the adoption of new United Nations Security Council Resolution 2664 (2022) which permits exemptions from sanction measures for certain humanitarian activities and / or activities to meet basic human needs and the subsequent adoption of a new Statutory Instrument (SI 2023/121), the „Sanctions (Humanitarian Exception) (Amendment) Regulations 2023“, by the UK government to transpose this new UN Resolution 2664 into UK law (please see EventID #19507 in this context for more information). The new guidance now discusses related licensing and exemption provisions.